[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6800-S6801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 113--TO AMEND THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE TO
REQUIRE THAT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
BE RECITED AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE DAILY SESSION OF THE SENATE
Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs.
Feinstein, and Mr. Helms) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:
S. Res. 113
Whereas the Flag of the United States of America is our
Nation's most revered and preeminent symbol;
Whereas the Flag of the United States of America is
recognized and respected throughout the world as a symbol of
democracy, freedom, and human rights;
Whereas, in the words of the Chief Justice of the United
States, the Flag of the United States of America ``in times
of national crisis, inspires and motivates the average
citizen to make personal sacrifices in order to achieve
societal goals of overriding importance . . . and serves as a
reminder of the paramount importance of pursuing the ideals
that characterize our society'';
Whereas the House of Representatives of the United States
has opened each of its daily sessions with the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America since
1988; and
Whereas opening each of the daily sessions of the Senate of
the United States with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
of the United States would demonstrate reverence for the Flag
and serve as a daily reminder to all Senators of the ideals
that it represents: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That paragraph 1(a) of rule IV of the Standing
Rules of the Senate is amended by inserting after ``prayer by
the Chaplain'' the following: ``and after the Presiding
Officer leads the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag of the United States''.
Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, the resolution that I am
submitting today provides that immediately following the prayer such as
we just heard this morning by Chaplain Ogilvie, at the beginning of
each daily session of the Senate, the Presiding Officer of the Senate
would lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the
United States.
I am pleased and honored that the chairman of the Rules Committee,
Senator McConnell, as well as Senator Feinstein, Senator Helms, an
Senator Lott, have joined me as original cosponsors of this resolution.
The flag of the United States is our most revered and preeminent
symbol, and the flag is recognized and respected throughout the world
as a symbol of democracy, freedom, and human rights. As you know, the
House of Representatives has such a flag salute in the morning at the
beginning of each day. I think it is appropriate that the Senate follow
suit. It is probably long overdue.
The Chief Justice of the United States, William Rehnquist, has
written that the flag of the United States of America ``in times of
national crisis, inspires and motivates the average citizen to make
personal sacrifices in order to achieve societal goals of overriding
importance . . . and serves as a reminder of the paramount importance
of pursuing the ideals that characterize our society.''
Many Americans, including my father, have given their lives to
protect freedom and democracy as symbolized by this flag. Our family
was presented with a flag at the burial, as so many other families of
veterans have also experienced. It means a great deal, and I think it
is appropriate that we salute the flag every morning to start our
business.
Since 1988, as I said, the House of Representatives has demonstrated
its reverence and respect for the flag, and all of the ideals for which
it stands, by opening its morning session with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
I wish to give credit to a constituent of mine. I would like to take
credit for the idea--perhaps I should have thought of it--but it came
from Rebecca Stewart of Enfield, NH, who recently contacted my office
and suggested that the Senate should do what the House does--open each
session with the Pledge of Allegiance. I thought that was a great idea
and contacted several members of the Senate Rules Committee to get a
sense of the level of support on that committee for the idea, and I was
pleased and delighted by the response from Rules.
The result then is the resolution I am submitting today. I might also
in conclusion point out that Monday, June 14, is Flag Day. It would be
a great tribute if we could get this resolution to the floor and pass
it sometime on or before Monday, June 14. We do have time this week to
do that. It is my hope we can move this legislation out of Rules
quickly and bring it to the floor. I understand Senator McConnell will
be in the Chamber to speak on this matter very shortly.
Mr. President, I trust that the Senate will see fit to promptly adopt
this resolution. I hope that it will receive the unanimous support of
my colleagues in the Senate.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the senior Senator from New Hampshire,
Mr. Bob Smith, introduced a rules
[[Page S6801]]
change which I, as chairman of the Rules Committee, am happy to
cosponsor. I commend our colleague, Senator Bob Smith, for an excellent
and outstanding idea.
Since 1892, Americans have expressed their reverence for the flag of
this Nation and all it represents by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge was first recited at the 1892 World's Fair to commemorate
the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Since that time,
hundreds and thousands of civic organizations and schoolchildren have
taken time before turning to their work to recite these moving words:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Mr. President, I can remember as a schoolchild in Athens, Alabama,
standing at my desk, placing my hand over my heart, fixing my eyes upon
the flag, and reciting these eloquent words. I suspect many of our
colleagues here in the Senate had the same experience in school as they
were growing up.
Even at that early age, pledging allegiance to the flag encouraged me
to think about the history and ideals of this Nation. It was an
important ritual for schoolchildren then. It should be an important
ritual for the Senate now.
Presently, we begin each day's business here in the Senate with a
prayer. This solemn act reminds us of certain principles and values
that we as a people hold dear. Similarly, daily recitation of the
pledge would serve as an inspirational start to each legislative day.
The pledge is a time for reflecting on the inspiring history and
ideals of liberty and freedom that the Stars and Stripes represents.
Setting aside this time each day will serve to remind Americans of the
venerated place the flag holds in our country and our culture.
Mr. President, among my most prized possessions is the American flag
which honored, as he was laid to rest, my father's service to our
Nation. That flag rests proudly on the marble mantel in my Senate
office.
A clinical assessment of that flag would conclude that it is some
mixture of cotton fabric, dyed red, white, and blue. But for me, it
harkens back to the selfless patriotism of a father who fought for his
Nation during World War II, a father who instilled in his son an awe
and abiding respect for this great Nation we are all so fortunate to
call home.
Old Glory has been a beacon of hope for over 200 years, a touchstone
for patriotic Americans, and a source of comfort and pride for
individuals at home and abroad. In the words of Senator Charles Sumner,
``In a foreign land, the flag is companionship, and country itself,
with all its endearments.''
The flag is, without question, a powerful symbol the world over. For
nearly every American, it is the most powerful patriotic inspiration.
It is my distinct honor today to cosponsor this resolution as
chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. I also want to commend my good
friend from New Hampshire, Senator Bob Smith, for an excellent idea and
for his leadership on this issue. The Senate should promptly pass this
resolution to begin every day in the Senate Chamber with the pledge of
allegiance to our flag and to the Republic for which it stands, the
Republic to which we have dedicated ourselves as Senators.
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